The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Mahmud Mohammed,
yesterday, decried what he termed “lack of political will to prosecute
high-profile corruption cases” by the executive.
In what seem like a reaction to an earlier statement by
President Muhammadu Buhari, the CJN made his position known during a meeting
with the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr.
Abubakar Malami (SAN), in his conference room. He said the lacklustre attitude
of government towards the prosecution of criminal cases, “especially
those involving politically exposed persons or political party family members,”
was a major factor that has stalled trial of so many corruption cases.
President Muhammadu Buhari had while flagging-off the 2015
All Nigeria Judges’ Conference, slammed the judiciary, accusing it of
sabotaging his effort to prosecute high-profile corruption cases.
Buhari, who was represented at the event by Vice President
Yemi Osinbajo, lamented that “allegations of judicial corruption have
become more strident and frequent,” noting: “There is both local and
international dissatisfaction with the long delays in the trial process. In the
past few years, this has become especially so for high-profile cases of
corruption, especially where they involve serving or former political office
holders.”
The CJN, however, said: “Experience within the Judiciary
shows that there is abject lack of political will to prosecute some of those
cases pending before our various courts almost a decade in some instances.
“It is not because there are no special courts, but mostly
for reasons of political expedience and other ancillary considerations.
“I would likewise wish to encourage you (AGF) to display a
greater resolve than your predecessors in tackling outstanding cases before the
courts. In times past, the Attorney General of the Federation would often lead
teams of legal counsel in high profile cases so as to demonstrate the resolve
of the government to enshrine the rule of law.
“Sadly, recent Attorneys-General have become less inclined
to do this. I would certainly like to see you, as the Attorney General, appear
before us especially in cases of important national purport.
“There is the need for seasoned prosecutors to prepare and
file charges before courts of competent jurisdiction so that criminal matters
are timeously determined.
“The quality of prosecutions presented in courts by our
prosecutorial agencies must be improved upon, as they are sometimes of a
standard that will never found a conviction in any court anywhere, yet, a well
prepared prosecution can see to the determination of criminal matter within a
month.
“Of course, no competent prosecutor who has filed valid
charges would permit an accused to mount an interlocutory appeal, to the extent
of going forth and back, sometimes twice or more to the Supreme Court, since
such lapses could be injurious to the dispensation of justice.”
The CJN also advised the AGF to recruit more lawyers who
should be adequately trained to handle more cases on behalf of the State,
saying it would create a reservoir of highly trained, public spirited lawyers
to feed the Bench and the Bar.
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